By following an “Elimination Diet”, you may be able to identify foods that trigger certain symptoms including joint pain, skin rashes, headaches and much more.  Here’s how to get started. 

Elimination Phase – First Two Weeks:

Before you begin, make a list or chart of all your symptoms, note their frequency, and rate their severity on a scale of 1 to 10. Note any other characteristics or associations with particular food intake, meal, etc.

Eliminate the following food groups along with all food items which contain any of these foods.

1. Dairy (including milk, cheese, whey protein, kefir, yogurt, ice cream, frozen yogurt, etc.)
2. Gluten containing grains: wheat, rye, oats, barley, (couscous, pilaf, tabbouleh  etc.) and any foods containing these items (sauces, beer, ketchup and other condiments containing vinegar, some puddings, etc.)
3. Egg and foods containing egg
4. Soy products including miso, tofu, tempeh, soy sauce, tamari
5. Nuts and seeds
6. Shellfish
7. Corn and corn products including chips, tortillas, anything with high fructose corn syrup added
8. Sweeteners (with the exception of stevia), food additives, dyes, colors, etc.
9. Coffee, chocolate, caffeine containing herbal teas
10.  Alcohol

!! READ ALL PACKAGED AND BOTTLED FOOD LABELS!!

Stay hydrated: drink plenty of filtered water, herbal teas, unsweetened coconut water, unsweetened rice milk

After two weeks of elimination, rate your symptom chart once again and compare with your initial list.

Did you notice any changes in symptoms, their frequency or severity?

Any new symptoms?

As your body clears during this elimination process, you could have a temporary worsening of symptoms or even a new symptom. These may include headaches, brain fog, skin rash, changes in digestion and/or elimination, bloating, gas, fatigue. Mild symptoms are a common part of the clearing process so continue on, pay attention to adequate fluid intake and make sure you are getting enough protein to keep your blood sugar normalized.

You know your body. Be smart. If any symptoms are severe or you feel something is not right, consult your health care provider.

Reintroduction-Challenge Phase:

1. Pick one of the eliminated foods. Consume one serving at breakfast, lunch and at dinner for only one day. Then remove that food from your diet once again. You will not be able to eat that food until you are completely finished adding back foods to your diet.
2. Wait for 3 days before introducing another food and carefully observe your symptoms. If you experience a return or worsening of symptoms that persists after three days, wait until it subsides before introducing another food.
3. Go through each food group as above, adding it in at each meal and then removing it again completely from your diet after the challenge day.
4. Continue to wait for 3 days (72 hours), monitoring and recording  your symptoms before adding in another food

Use your symptom chart to rate your symptom frequency and severity after each food introduction.

Have any symptoms returned or gotten worse after reintroducing a food?

Any new symptoms?

What can you eat on an Elimination Diet?

• Turkey, lamb, fish (wild salmon, sardines, etc.), rice protein
• Unsweetened rice milk
• Grains: quinoa, brown rice, wild rice, millet
• Fresh fruits except citrus
• Vegetables: most vegetables with the exclusion of nightshade family
• Sweeteners: stevia
• Herbs, Spices: sea salt, pepper, fresh herbs
• Olive oil

For A More Extensive Program:

• If you would like to do a more extensive Elimination Diet, you can extend the avoidance list to include nightshade family vegetables (potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, peppers), citrus, beef, chicken, pork, beans, and coffee. You can also eliminate any foods that you “crave” or foods you choose to eat on a very frequent basis. We often choose to eat foods we are actually sensitive to. These foods can stimulate our adrenal system and give us a temporary energy boost.

• You can undertake a seasonal cleanse along with the Elimination Diet, especially timely in the Spring or Fall. This  can aid with the elimination of inflammatory byproducts  and help support your body’s detoxification process.

Important Information: This diet is not intended to diagnose or treat any specific illness and is intended for healthy individuals. If you have a significant health issue, you are advised to consult your health care provider and undertake this program under supervision. The elimination diet involves the temporary removal of significant sources of protein and other nutrients, which in compromised individuals, may not be advised without ensuring that vital nutrients are preserved in the diet in other forms.  

Find out how you can get the upper hand against this frightening modern epidemic…

From time to time, media headlines will warn of the dangers of mercury or lead poisoning. However, many heavy metals, including mercury, lead, cadmium, and aluminum, are poisonous to your health and longevity—and chances are good that you encounter all of them on a daily basis.

The reality is that these environmental toxins are everywhere. You’ll find mercury in your dental amalgams and vaccines, and aluminum in your antiperspirant. Most meat, especially fish, is abundant in environmental toxins, as is most tap water.

The truth is, it’s impossible to avoid exposure to heavy metals. But you can protect yourself with safe, with gentle, natural chelation. Unlike intravenous therapy at a specialized clinic—or even oral chelation with harsh chemicals that deplete essential nutrients, nature provides us with ingredients to bind and eliminate toxins from the body, without uncomfortable side effects.[/one_half]

Your free guide includes:

• Simple descriptions of the most threatening environmental toxins
• The truth about the very real risk of popular “standard” chelation methods like DMSA, DMPS, and EDTA
• Detailed information on affordable, effective natural chelation alternatives… including a clinically-proven blend of modified citrus pectin and alginates that can safely remove toxins

I’ve compiled all of this information into a comprehensive guide for you to have and share with your family and friends. As a doctor of integrative medicine, it is my mission to share the knowledge and experience I have gained from treating patients, and to give you the tools you need to make the best decisions for your own health.

However, research, education and the accessibility of safer screening methods such as thermography are increasing. These targeted advancements aim to support women of all ages in effective breast cancer prevention efforts and long term health management. Of particular note is the research pointing to an anti-oxidant rich diet, regular exercise and weight management, and specific botanical and nutritional compounds – all of which work to prevent and fight breast cancer through multiple mechanisms of action.

As an integrative physician specializing in the holistic prevention and treatment of breast cancer, I’ve developed a comprehensive, scientifically researched botanical and nutritional formula to strategically address breast health issues. Three peer-reviewed studies from Indiana University demonstrated the powerful anti-cancer and anti-metastasis effects of this unique formula, including one showing that, when combined with Modified Citrus Pectin, the anti-cancer benefits of the breast formula increased synergistically.

Last month, Prevention Magazine wrote about this remarkable formula, highlighting the most recent published study which showed the formula decreased aggressive breast cancer growth and metastasis significantly, safely with no toxicity. To read health journalist Leah Zurbe’s piece in the February 2013 issue of Prevention Magazine, titled “A Natural Way to Halt Hard to Treat Breast Cancer”, click here.

In my practice, I recommend this integrative breast formula together with other targeted natural compounds and ingredients to support overall health while preventing and fighting breast cancer from multiple angles. Together with a healthy diet and lifestyle, these approaches can:

• support a strong immune system
• control inflammation
• balance hormones
• support healthy cellular behavior
• maintain DNA integrity
• detoxify the body

These are crucial factors in maintaining breast health and general wellness over the long term. 

To learn more about my integrative breast formula, click here. And for more in-depth information, download my comprehensive wellness guide about integrative approaches to treating and preventing breast cancer here. I encourage you to share this information with anyone you know who has concerns about breast health or is actively fighting breast issues. This area of health deserves the utmost care, regardless of factors such as age, family history or genetics.

For more research on breast health, visit our research library at http://www.dreliaz.org/research-library/

Best of Health, 

Dr. Isaac Eliaz

Brush Up! Understanding the Oral Systemic Connection from Isaac Eliaz on Vimeo.

When we don’t control harmful bacteria in the mouth, these health-robbing microbes can migrate and wreak havoc throughout the body. Gingivitis (gum disease) and its more advanced form, periodontitis, are already implicated in life threatening illness such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Now, research expands on these connections by showing a direct link between poor oral health and cancer. Specifically, pathogenic bacteria from the mouth suppress immunity, spread infection, fuel chronic inflammation and may even trigger harmful cell mutations.

In addition to good oral hygiene and regular dental exams, there are some powerful ways to address oral health and reduce your risk of cancer and chronic illness. Specifically, a select group of natural therapies are shown in multiple peer reviewed studies to actively fight bacterial infections and cancer, while offering a number of additional health benefits.

In this upcoming live webinar “Brush Up: How Good Oral Hygiene Can Prevent Cancer”, Dr. Isaac Eliaz, integrative health expert, discusses the latest published studies linking poor oral health to an increase in cancer risk and development. He will also cover the strategic application of several natural supplements proven to:

• help protect against gingivitis/periodontitis
• reduce inflammation
• boost immunity
• enhance overall health and vitality

This not to be missed talk will also provide solutions for gentle, total-body detoxification of mercury and toxic metals from amalgam fillings. New diagnostic tests, in addition to specific protocols and ingredient dosages will be provided.

It is estimated that millions more people in America visit a dentist rather than a primary care doctor. We all know why: tooth pain simply can’t be ignored. But what most people don’t realize, is that these dental visits can do more than fix a painful situation; they may also help prevent a life-threatening illness such as cancer. In the upcoming webinar, Dr. Eliaz will share the how and why of this critical connection, and the best ways to address these issues for long term health and wellness.

Click here to register for this free webinar now!

Music is a universal language. That’s because rhythm and harmony are more than musical elements – they are the energetic foundation of life, nature, our universe. Their vibrations have the power to expand the heart, transform the mind and heal. In fact, music is the earliest form of medicine, dating back tens of thousands of years to the first shamanic drums and songs. Today, song-healings are practiced throughout the world as more health seekers learn that singing, playing an instrument or listening to certain music can bring deep healing, peace of mind, spiritual growth and a greater connection to nature.

As an integrative physician and traditional Chinese medicine practitioner, the healing power of music has always been an important part of my practice and family life. Harmony and tempo help synchronize the rhythms of the natural world with the “music of the heart” – each person’s individual energetic pattern, expressed in their pulse. The heart pattern is best understood through the lens of traditional Chinese medicine, which teaches the diagnostic qualities of different pulse patterns in analyzing health and disease. And music may have the power to influence these biological rhythms more than any other factor.

The Power of Music

That’s why I’m so inspired by my daughter, Amity who has been creating original music since she was young, and just recently released her powerful, uplifting song and video called “Me and My Guitar”. In it, Amity tells a beautiful story of the healing power of music to help express your inner nature and find your spirit’s truth beneath the layers of obstructions. Amity is dedicated to sharing her talents for the benefit of others. When she performs, people express just how uplifting her music is, particularly when she’s played for chronically ill people who are often deeply touched by her inspiring songs of healing and transformation. Needless to say, as her father and as a healer, I am beyond proud of her.

You can watch the beautiful new music video “Me and My Guitar” on YouTube here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnXNExiHgfo&feature=youtube

Music in Medicine

What’s also exciting is that science has begun to explore these ancient rhythmic connections which have stood at the heart of culture, spirituality, and healing for millennia. Today, the study of music in medicine is a rapidly expanding field which is taking it beyond complementary, supportive therapy. A growing number of published studies show that music can play an active role in health and disease. An even larger number of books have been written for general readers, highlighting the numerous and remarkable benefits of music and sound. From increased healing, spirituality and personal growth – to better cognitive ability to greater emotional stability, music and sound therapy can make a powerful difference in people’s lives.

An interesting review of recent clinical studies on music and physiology was published this year in  the journal, Nutrition. The article, titled “The Impact of Music on Metabolism,” explores the ways that music can affect various physiological and metabolic pathways to improve cardiovascular health, pain management, post-operative recovery, gastrointestinal health, metabolic health, vital energy, exercise recovery time and more. Listening to music was shown to increase growth hormone levels, decrease cortisol and inflammation markers, and regulate adrenal pathways to improve responses to stress. In one study reviewed, music therapy reduced the occurrence of acute and congestive heart failure events in cardiovascular disease patients. In another study, pre-term infants exposed to music therapy showed numerous benefits including improved respiration and oxygenation, increased weight gain, reduced pain, greater nutrition intake and reduced hospital stay. Other studies of music’s effects on gastrointestinal health and metabolism showed that music therapy improved digestive function and efficiency, increased metabolism, and may support healthy weight. Studies on music and athletic performance showed that listening to music while exercising may help to improve cholesterol and total lipid profiles as well as total body fat ratio.

Modern science has just begun to scratch the surface of music and sound in terms of healing potential. However, traditional medical systems from around the world have long revered the beneficial vibrations of music, harmony and rhythm for health and vitality. The effects are instant and tangible, but they are also powerful and long lasting.

So make a cup of tea, sit back and relax, and play some music you love. It may be one of the best things you can do for your health.

To watch Amity’s moving music video and song, click here, and enjoy!

Best of Health and Happy Holidays,

Isaac Eliaz, M.D., L.Ac.

Santa Rosa, CA (11/20/2012) – 

Cardiovascular disease will kill nearly 2.5 million people in the United States this year, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Over time, inflammation, collagen deposition and scar tissue formation can cause blood vessels to stiffen, a process called vascular fibrosis. Though researchers have known that the hormone aldosterone (Aldo) plays a role in this process, the precise mechanisms have been poorly understood.

Now, an international study published in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology: Journal of the American Heart Association is providing new insights into cardiovascular disease.Particularly significant, the study illuminates how Aldo and the protein galectin-3 jointly contribute to vascular remodeling and congestive heart failure by fueling the processes of inflammation, fibrosis and collagen deposition.

The findings indicate that galectin-3 is required for inflammatory and fibrotic responses to Aldo, suggesting a key role for galectin-3 in vascular fibrosis.  Equally important, the study proves that Modified Citrus Pectin (MCP), a preparation derived from the pith of citrus peels, prevents these effects by binding to galectin-3 and controlling Aldo induced elevated galectin-3 levels.

MCP is a form of citrus pectin modified to a specific molecular weight and structure for enhanced absorption and bioactivity. Regular pectin goes through the gastrointestinal tract unabsorbed, whereas MCP is readily absorbed and has been demonstrated in published research to perform multiple beneficial functions. MCP’s small molecular weight and unique structure allow it to bind and block excess galectin-3 throughout the body. Elevated serum galectin-3 has been linked to high mortality rates in heart failure and metastatic cancer. MCP slows cancer progression and metastasis, blocks inflammation, helps prevent fibrosis, and offers other critical benefits related to the inhibition of galectin-3. It also supports immunity and safely chelates heavy metals.

Aldo and Galectin-3

The researchers in this study sought to understand exactly how Aldo and galectin-3 work together to affect vascular remodeling. In small quantities, Aldo and galectin-3 perform necessary biological functions. Aldo regulates blood pressure and electrolyte balance; galectin-3 facilitates cell-to-cell communication and cell growth. However, high levels of Aldo are linked to arterial stiffness and heart failure. Similarly, high levels of galectin-3 play a direct role in chronic inflammation, fibrosis and subsequent tissue remodeling in the kidneys, liver, heart and other organs; as well as cancer formation and metastasis.

In 2011, the Food and Drug Administration approved a serum galectin-3 test to assess the risk and progression of congestive heart failure and heart disease. This test is widely available and covered by most health insurances for cardiovascular screening. Practitioners also use this test to assess the risk and progression of cancer and other galectin-3 related diseases.

Dr. Isaac Eliaz, a recognized expert in the field of galectin-3 and the use of Modified Citrus Pectin states, “The results of this study have enormous implications for the prevention and treatment of heart disease and fibrosis related conditions. Because it functions as an active, culprit biomarker, galectin-3 serves as a therapeutic target in multiple life-threatening conditions. According to the scientific literature, this is achievable with the oral application of MCP, a galectin-3 inhibitor without side effects. This approach offers a new solution to numerous chronic conditions related to inflammation, fibrosis and metastatic cancer for which there are limited conventional treatments.”

Study Details In the study, rats were given Aldo and sodium chloride salt, which increased blood pressure, inflammation, fibrosis and galectin-3 levels. Using MCP, the research team blocked excess galectin-3 with significant results. Collagen type 1 deposition, blood pressure, inflammation, fibrosis and aortic wall thickness were all reduced. Spironolactone, a pharmaceutical Aldo inhibitor, achieved similar results.

However, the side effects of spironolactone are significant while MCP is proven to achieve greater results without toxicity or side effects. Specifically, the MCP was shown to outperform spironolactone in a few key areas related to inflammation and fibrosis. MCP achieved better suppression of fibrotic markers. Importantly, MCP completely inhibited the cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) which plays a key role in inflammation, fibrosis, immune response and cancer/metastasis. Spironolactone only partially blocked the Aldo induced IL-6.

The team went on to test the impact of increasing Aldo in regular mice as well as in galectin-3 knockout mice unable to produce the protein. When given Aldo, the normal mice experienced the inflammation and overabundant collagen formation associated with vascular remodeling. However, the knock-out mice experienced no ill effects, supporting the conclusion that Aldo requires galectin-3 to induce the collagen type 1 synthesis and deposition associated with vascular fibrosis.

Beyond Heart Disease

This new research confirms a number of earlier studies which implicate galectin-3 in numerous conditions related to inflammation and fibrosis. In particular, it substantiates research published in the journal PLoS One in 2011 demonstrating the role that galectin-3 plays in acute fibrosis-related kidney injuries. That study also shows that MCP blocks the harmful effects of excess galectin-3 and helps to reverse related damages.

This recent study marks a critical step toward understanding the mechanisms behind vascular fibrosis, and the role MCP can play in inhibiting these and other factors associated with heart failure and organ fibrosis. More research must be done to further illuminate the role of galectin-3 in cardiovascular and chronic diseases. Further research including clinical trials are being planned to explore MCP as a safe and natural preventative and treatment for congestive heart failure and metastatic cancer.

For more information on modified citrus pectin call (707) 583-8619, or visit www.mcprecommends.org

Source: Galectin-3 mediates aldosterone-induced vascular fibrosis. Laurent C, Maria M, Pascal R, Victoria C, Ernesto MM, de Boer RA, Françoise P, Patrick L, Faiez Z, Patrick R, Natalia LA.Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2012 Nov 1. [Epub ahead of print]

Your Thoughts
What do you think about this article? Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below. We love to hear your feedback!

Here you will find the audio from Dr. Isaac Eliaz’s guided relaxation session from the Meditation and Healing Retreat given on Nov. 3rd, 2012.

Click the link below to listen now:
http://soundcloud.com/marketing-14-1/israel-guided-relaxation/s-2pSjZ

Download a PDF of this article.

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To read more about Dr. Isaac Eliaz‘s recommendations for digestive health, click here.

Your Thoughts
What do you think about this article? Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below. We love to hear your feedback!

Please enjoy the slideshow presentation from Dr. Isaac Eliaz’s free webinar “Principles of Integrative Oncology’, which took place on Nov. 14, 2012.

Use the player below to review this presentation: